Every day, people across Coventry rely on second‑hand items to make ends meet — from baby equipment and children’s toys to electrical goods and household essentials. But when these products aren’t safe, the consequences can be serious. That’s why Coventry Citizens Advice launched Buy Smart – Stay Safe, a citywide campaign designed to help residents make safer choices when buying or using pre-loved items.

Between August 2025 and January 2026, we delivered a programme of workshops, outreach events, community partnerships, and digital engagement. Our goal was simple: to reduce the risk of harm from unsafe second-hand goods, especially among people most at risk — families with young children, newly arrived communities, disabled residents, and those on low incomes

Why This Matters

Unsafe or non‑compliant second‑hand products can seem like a bargain, but they may hide dangerous faults or fail to meet UK safety standards. Items like:

• baby cots and car seats
• children’s furniture and toys
• electrical appliances

can pose real risks if damaged, recalled, or missing vital safety features. Many residents told us they were unsure what to look for — or where to go for trustworthy information. Our campaign set out to change that.

What We Achieved

We delivered 12+ outreach sessions across the city — in Family Hubs, toddler groups, schools, community centres, libraries, foodbanks, and social supermarkets — offering practical advice tailored to daily life. This included:

• One‑to‑one conversations with parents and carers
• Dedicated workshops for ESOL learners
• Engagement with disabled residents and carers
• Information stands in high‑footfall public venues

In total, our activities reached 4,294 people through direct engagement, leaflets, and online content